AKA, the global, integrated entertainment advertising agency specializing in live experiences, has appointed Steve Grimes as Chief Digital Officer (CDO) in its New York office. In this newly created role, Grimes joins AKA NYC’s diversely experienced senior management team to provide high-level oversight of the agency’s digital output, leading a team of accomplished digital specialists and lending his creativity to the agency’s trademark innovative entertainment campaigns.

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Steve Grimes joins AKA NYC as CDO (Photo: Business Wire)

Steve Grimes joins AKA NYC as CDO (Photo: Business Wire)

With more than 20 years’ experience at the leading edge of digital innovation, Grimes has built a reputation for pioneering digital and mobile strategies. Prior to joining AKA NYC, he held leadership positions at Comedy Central, overseeing all aspects of non-linear programming spanning apps, websites, social media and video on-demand for the network’s shows, and the National Basketball Association, managing the organization’s global web properties and mobile products. He also served as managing editor and senior vice president of consumer media at Getty Images, leading a new division to develop consumer-focused media properties.

“Digital media and innovation are in my DNA and I’m delighted to be joining the talented team at AKA NYC,” said Grimes. “Building on the engaging, creative campaigns they have been delivering for clients gives me an exciting opportunity to leverage my experience from the TV and sports worlds to create entertainment experiences that connect people at the intersection of our digital world and real life.”

As CDO, Grimes will join AKA NYC as part of the senior executive team under managing partners Elizabeth Furze and Scott Moore, which includes Amanda Blackman, senior vice president of creative strategy and experiential design, Elizabeth Findlay, vice president of client services and media, Bashan Aquart, executive creative director, and Ricardo Whitely, director of finance.

“In filling this new position, it was important that the right person share our mission of creating meaningful audience engagement that doesn’t ‘feel’ like advertising,” said Furze. “Steve impressed us immediately with his creativity and award-winning track record driving audience growth across multiple platforms and channels. He’ll be a crucial part in helping us develop campaigns for our clients that not only enhance the consumer experience across digital platforms, but with content that people actively seek out and share.”

Grimes has received multiple Emmy nominations, including two wins for Best Special Programming for “The Daily Show” and Best Interactive Event for “Night of Too Many Stars” through his work with Comedy Central. Grimes will draw from award-winning work like this to bring new and impactful creative concepts to AKA NYC’s client campaigns.

About AKA
AKA is the only global, full-service advertising agency with offices in the US, UK and Australia. The AKA Group, including Digital Media Services and the film advertising agency The Creative Partnership, delivers creative, strategic and insightful campaigns to entertainment and cultural destinations worldwide.

The New York office, led by Elizabeth Furze and Scott Moore, has a proven record for producing engaging entertainment campaigns that get people to go places.

Current and recent NYC clients include:Entertainment: American Son, Audible Theater, Anastasia, A Bronx Tale, Be More Chill, Come from Away, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Lifespan of a Fact, Once On This Island, The Band’s Visit, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, The Metropolitan Opera, Manhattan Theatre Club. Destinations: Empire Outlets, The New York Botanical Garden and the YMCA.

For more information, visit https://aka.nyc.